Simon Doonan’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays

November 26, 2014

The holidays can be a trying time. With prying questions from your family (they mean well) to depressing evenings alone, even the best of us can hit our breaking points. Before you lash out at dear old Aunt Martha, try out these tips from Barneys Creative Ambassador, and our November Guest Editor, Simon Doonan. (He’s become our life coach. Follow this mantra: Simon says.)

theFashionSpot: How…

Writer, bon-vivant, window dresser extraordinaire, Creative Ambassador for Barneys New York and fashion commentator Simon Doonan has worked in fashion for over 35 years. He has written six books: Confessions of a Window Dresser, Wacky Chicks, a memoir entitled Beautiful People and tongue-in-cheek style guides entitled Eccentric Glamour and Gay Men Don't Get Fat. His latest book, THE ASYLUM: a collage of fashion reminiscences…and hysteria, is a collection of stories from his 35 years in the fashion industry. He has written regularly for The New York Observer, The Daily Beast, and currently writes a biweekly humor column for SLATE.com.

Simon has won many awards for his groundbreaking and unconventional window displays, including the CFDA Award. In 2009 he was invited by President and Mrs. Obama to decorate the White House for the Holidays. In 2010 Simon was commissioned by Target to design the season’s Halloween costumes.

Simon Doonan lives in New York City with his partner, the ceramicist and designer Jonathan Adler.

| Every woman's wardrobe should include a biker jacket. There are days when every gal needs to get tough.